low idle runs like crap

[karmann]

Hello All
  My 98 valk runs like crap at low speed, seems like its fuel starved. I checked the vaccum petock and it seems fine, after 2 k rpms it runs good, its had to ghet started out as you have to rev it up to get going?
 any ideas?
 thanks

[Patrick]

When did this start?? Has the bike been sitting for awhile??  Without much information its kinda hard to take a guess, but, it sure sounds like a dreaded case of the plugged/varnished low jets.. Buy yourself several cans of Sea-foam.. Run several tanks thru the bike[ a full can to a tank].. Make sure the enrichment valves[chokes] are not stuck in the applied/out position..Also check all the vacuum lines and caps for cracks/splits..

[karmann]

Hello
  It started last summer. It started not running good on low speed, Runs better with choke on. I ran one tank of seafoam through, it didn't seem to help much. I checked the vacum lines, the petcock,the vacum plugs, air filter, and all seem good. I guess I'm going to have to find a good honda mech. What is the best thing to run through the fuel for a good clean out?
  thanks

[Foozle]

Personally, as a fuel additive, I find Techron to be a more effective clearner than SeaFoam.  Just my .02.  Terry

[Patrick]

Last summer huh.. Do you store the bike during the winter?? If so, did you put any stabilizer in the fuel and run it for awhile??  These monsters are noted for varnishing the slow jets if allowed to sit for awhile.. If several tanks of Sea-foam doesn't clear it up, then, its time to get your little fingers dirty and clean some carburetors..

[karmann]

Hello .
  Yes, every winter I use stablizer, and I let the bike run about 15 min, to get all the carbs full.
  It didn't do it at first last spring, it started later in the summer.
  I think I'll get the carbs looked at. It idles a little low, the real problem is at first starting out, you have to ride the clutch and keep the rpm's up, once you hit about 2 k rpm's, it runs pretty normal???
  thanks for all the info.

[¿spoom]

Personally, as a fuel additive, I find Techron to be a more effective clearner than SeaFoam.  Just my .02.  Terry

Likewise. Unlike Seafoam, the Techron is strictly a fuel system cleaner. Sadly, the oxygenated fuels many of us have to run now go to heck in as litle as 2 months without Stabilizers and you'd be amazed how fast stuff starts to form in the bowls. There's a chance it just needs a carb synch badly, but that'd be a waste of time if you don't have 6 good carbs. I'd grab your manual and make plans to pull a bank of carbs soon and go through them. Check the 6 plugs and start on the side with the worst ones, maybe you'll only have to clean one side.
One trick that used to work pretty good on the old SOHC  CB750/4s was to pull the intake runners and cover a carb's intake with your hand a few times while the bike was at fast idle. The vacuum from blocking the airflow coming in would suck "jello" out of orfices. Might work on the Valks too, and ya have to pull the runners anyway to get at the carbs.

[Mr. Nuts]

Had the same problem last year. Massive and expensive doses of Seafoam were followed by even greater doses of Techron. Lots of rides to work it through carbs. Then lots of sitting in the garage to allow it to soak in good. Each time I gained just enough to give me hope...but after a month of messing with all that I wanted my smooth running Valk back. I finally broke down and learned to replace my slow jets. Read lots here and it really wasn't that bad! Got some other nice stuff done at the same time (Viton intake o-rings, a desmog kit installed, new air cleaner, and 18 allen head screws in my carbs to make it even easier if I ever have to go in again). Even the best gallon of carb cleaner I could get didn't unclog my jets though it looked like it did...so don't scrimp on new slow jets. Get the original size and you won't have to mess with adjustments and special tools. See my other post today for some other tips too.

A poorly running Valk can mess with your summer or even get you hurt if it stalls at an inappropriate time. With the crappy gas nowadays knowing how to change these is a good investment. I would try ONE bottle of Techron...and if that didn't work I'd read up, order stuff, and blow a day making it purrrrrr again at idle.

[CajunRider]

Sputters under 2K RPM and like choke at idle...

Sounds a LOT like mine used to be recently. 

Seafoam didn't help me...

What worked was pulling all the jets and giving them a GOOD cleaning (high pressure air) followed by re-setting the pilots and balancing the carbs. 

It's a LOT of work, but very much worth it in my case. 

Hopefully, the Techron will work for you.

[John U.]

If the Techron doesn't work and it's new jet time, get an inspection mirror and check the condition of your tank. No amount of Seafoam, Techron or Berrymans will take care of rust clogged jets.

[karmann]

Hello All
  I used a can of techron , it was the size for 12 gals of gas. I put most of it in with about 3 gals of gas, I let it idle for about 20 min, sit all night, idle the next day for 25 min a few different times. It still seemed a little dead when first reved. I took it for a short ride, it ran a lot better, then a 40 mile ride and it runs great. it idles good and is very easy to get going when letting the clutch out. that techron is great stuff.
  thanks for all the info.

[Ricky-D]

If the Techron doesn't work and it's new jet time, get an inspection mirror and check the condition of your tank. No amount of Seafoam, Techron or Berrymans will take care of rust clogged jets.

Seeing that the screen in place on the petcock is a finer mesh than the size of the jet orifices I don't understand how the clogging particles get through from the tank to the carburetor float bowl.

***

[clsimmonsjr]

yea, ive got the same problem with my 98 tourer, I think I let it set too long last winter.

[Chrisj CMA]

Hello
  It started last summer. It started not running good on low speed, Runs better with choke on. I ran one tank of seafoam through, it didn't seem to help much. I checked the vacum lines, the petcock,the vacum plugs, air filter, and all seem good. I guess I'm going to have to find a good honda mech. What is the best thing to run through the fuel for a good clean out?
  thanks

Not being sarcastic here, but how exactly did you check the vacuum lines?  Unless you remove them you cant see if they are cracked, and then it would be silly to replace the old........if they are original, they need changed

[John U.]

If the Techron doesn't work and it's new jet time, get an inspection mirror and check the condition of your tank. No amount of Seafoam, Techron or Berrymans will take care of rust clogged jets.

Seeing that the screen in place on the petcock is a finer mesh than the size of the jet orifices I don't understand how the clogging particles get through from the tank to the carburetor float bowl.

***

I can't explain it either Rick. However inexplicable it may be, it can and does happen. It happened to me although the screen was intact but pretty messed up.
I'll offer this as a guess: perhaps the rust serves as an aggregate which is bound together by the gum/varnish which ethanol "enriched' gas seems to have plenty of. In any case, it was definately rust clogging the slow jets and it definately wasn't responding to Seafoam or Techron in massive doses.

[Ricky-D]

John, that's a pretty good explanation. Seems entirely reasonable cause I've seen the rust colored sediment in my float bowls, just never considered that it could recombine and do it's dirty work.

***

[98valk]

If the Techron doesn't work and it's new jet time, get an inspection mirror and check the condition of your tank. No amount of Seafoam, Techron or Berrymans will take care of rust clogged jets.

add gumout regain, amsoil fuel cleaners and redline to your list.

[karmann]

Question
  My bike was a 3 year old leftover crate bike, when I bought it. Now that I've run the techron through it seemd to run better that new. I know Honda runs them on the assembly line, then drains the fuel. Is it possible that the remaining fuel dried up over the 3 year lay up period, and it was never right ?
 thanks

[John U.]

It's possible that if the carbs weren't run dry that a film of varnish has been altering the operation of the carbs. If it sat for years the varnish would have hardened and become very resistant to cleaning agents.
Techron is more aggressive than Seafoam, Berrymans even more so but I worry about O-rings. Berrymans contains toluene and acetone.
I think I'd rather soak parts in it than add it to gas.
I can't comment on Regain, Amsoil or Redline cleaners.

[fuzzy2bucks]

The advantage of Sea Foam is that it also preserves the gas through the Winter and can be  put into a half empty tank with no ill effects, however one should always fill the tank to preserve the inner tank metal.  I use Sea Foam in Chan Saws, Lawn Mowers, ATV's. MC's,
cars, Trimmers, etc and they are always ready to go with an easy start.

Berrymans and Techron are much more aggresive and might harm rubber hoses or rubber or plastic seals or parts.

[Pete]

A one time drain and dry would not leave enough residue to cause a problem. It takes several wet to dry cycles to build up the residue.